Jaclyn Roessel: Diné New Year Walk

Diné New Year Walk in Diné Bikeyáh with Jacyln RoesselSunday, October 1, 20179:30am-11:30am (Meet between 9-9:30am. We will carpool from there to walk/ hike)Meeting at Kayenta Bashas' Parking LotUS-160 & US-163, Kayenta, AZ 86033RSVP by September 28 (or sooner) at info@museumofwalking.org with the subject line, "Diné New Year Walk."Limited participation.FREE of cost but you will need to pay for your own accommodations.

The Museum of Walking is excited (and honored) to present a walk with creative Jaclyn Roessel who is traveling from New Mexico to make this walk happen! Jaclyn is President of Grownup Navajo, a blog and online community which shares Navajo & Native culture through a modern lens, on a morning hike honoring the beginning of the Diné New Year.

On October 1st meet at Kayenta Bashas' Parking Lot that is approximately 200 yards west of the US Highway 160 and US Highway 163 junction. This will be a moderate hike. Trail/hiking shoes, hat, light jacket, water, and snack(s) are recommended to share at the end of the walk.

Travel info:Kayenta is approximately 4.5hrs from Phoenix, 1.5hrs from Page, 2.5hrs from Durango, CO, 4hrs from St. George, UT, 5hrs from Albuquerque, NM, 5.5hrs from Santa Fe, NM, and 2.5hrs from Flagstaff.

About the hike:This moderate hike, will be an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscape of Diné Bikeyáh, Navajoland and hear how this land teaches a community, a people lessons in generosity. Grownup Navajo — Jaclyn Roessel will share a couple of poems and stories of her culture through memories of growing up in these lands.

October is the time of the year we gather in the spirit of Ghaaji’ baa axhééh hwiindzin — appreciating the new year and the time of seasons changing. As a community, we acknowledge this joining of the seasons and the beginning of the Diné calendar. This period starts with reflection of the power and blessings of the harvest as we move into the colder months.

Considerations:Please be cautious venturing on dirt roads with vehicles not equipped with all-terrain or four-wheel drive. The Navajo Nation is a “dry reservation” meaning alcohol is illegal. Photography and videos are allowed but when taking pictures of folks, ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION. The Navajo Nation is a vast swath of land, keep in mind your fuel levels as you adventure about. Lastly, cell phone coverage is VERY limited so please plan accordingly and don’t rely on Mapquest or Google maps to move about.

Words from Jacyln Roessel:I grew up in Kayenta. It’s my hometown and continues to be a place which grounds me. I am eager to share it and look forward to our morning walk/hike. Walking is the way in which I converse with Nahasdzaan Níhimá – Mother Earth. Whether it is a stroll, a run, the motion of footsteps on her back allows me to hold the necessary conversations. Those interested can read www.grownupnavajo.com prior to our adventure.